Thomas J. “Tom” Fleischmann, 89, of Chrisney, passed away on October 23, 2021, at Memorial Hospital, Jasper, from complications of COVID-19.
Tom was born near Patronville on February 28, 1932, to Louis and Gertrude (Ballman) Fleischmann. He attended his first two years of school at South Central Grade School in Patronville. He attended grades 3 through 8 at St. Bernard Catholic School in Rockport, and graduated from Rockport High School in 1950.
Tom joined the U.S. Navy in 1952 and served until 1956. At that time, he joined the U.S. Naval Reserve and retired in 1976 with a total of 24 years of service. During his military duty, he achieved the rank of Chief Machinery Repairman, serving on the U.S.S. Hooper Island and the U.S.S. Navarro. He served in the Korean War. Upon his return from active military service, he entered into his lifelong occupation as a salesman for John Deere Equipment.
He was preceded in death by his wife of 44 years, June Bennett Fleischmann; his parents; two brothers, James and Norbert; and one sister, Dorothy Krebs.
He is survived by his daughters and their families, Sherry (Kenny) Winchester and son, Erik, Sheila (Paul) Dunbar and daughters, Ashley Hagan and Flynn (Will) Hilderbrand. Also surviving are five great-grandchildren, Kyle (Pari) Hagan, Kaylynn June Hagan, Mason Thomas Hilderbrand and Adalynn Hilderbrand; one brother, Harold (Sandra) Fleischmann of Chrisney; and four sisters, Charlotte Weber and Betty Fleischmann of Chrisney, Carrie Powers of Cannelton, and Judy Roby of Owensboro, Kentucky; sister-in-law Kay (Anthony) Bender as well as several nieces and nephews.
Tom attended church at St. Martin Catholic Church, Chrisney. He was a life member of the American Legion and the V.F.W. He was active in Rockport Legion Post 254 and Chrisney V.F.W. Post 6946 until it closed and then Boonville V.F.W. Post 3418. He was also a member of the 40 & 8 Veterans Club, AMVETS, and the Fleet Reserve Club Annapolis.
Services are Friday, October 29, at St. Martin Catholic Church in Chrisney, with Father Ron Kreilein officiating. Burial will follow at Oak Hill Cemetery in Chrisney with military honors.
Visitation is 4 until 7 p.m., Thursday, October 28, at Boultinghouse Funeral Home- Youngblood Chapel, 36 E. Market St., Chrisney, with a prayer service at 7 p.m., and from 8 a.m. until 9:45 a.m. Friday morning at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Martin Catholic Church, 547 Elm St, Rockport, Indiana, or to a favorite charity.
Friends unable to attend may send a condolence to the family at www.BoultinghouseFuneralHome.com.
